Last year we invited you to participate in KABOOM's Playground Challenge, and we think it is such a worthy project that we wanted to remind you that it is an annual event! And this year it is even easier to participate — entering is only an app away!

The idea behind KaBOOM!'s Playground Challenge is to encourage families to visit as many playgrounds as possible between July 3 and August 13. Once you download the Tag! app, all you have to do is use it each time you visit a playground. Take a picture, rate your experience, share it through social media — the more in-depth you get, the better your chances of winning weekly prizes, as well as the grand prize, a week-long trip for two to Washington, DC. If you do not own a smartphone, you can still enter the Grand Prize Sweepstakes by uploading pictures at the Map of Play website.

The reason we think this is such a great contest is twofold. First, it is a little extra encouragement to take the kids outside to play this summer. Second, the information entered is used to create a Map of Play, which not only highlights the best playgrounds in a given area but also identifies areas which lack good playgrounds, which they call Play Deserts. These areas can then be the focus of playspace creation initiatives, which KaBoom! will help to get going.

Why not participate? The whole family will enjoy the summer a bit more and at the same time, help kids everywhere have the opportunity to get out and play.